Gen Lalonde wins national steeplechase title in new meet record

Gen Lalonde won another Canadian title on Thursday evening in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase in a new championship record of 9:34.85.

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She was followed closely by Regan Yee in second in 9:40.73 and Charlotte Prouse in third in 9:43.17. Following a stellar start to 2019 where she ran raced to an impressive top 20 finish at the World Cross-Country Championships and lowered her own national record, Lalonde has now officially punched her ticket to the upcoming world championships in Doha.

As for Yee, it’s likely she will be named to the team as well, as she also achieved standard several weeks ago, running a 9:35.49 on July 9.

In the men’s race, Matt Hughes took another national title in 8:45.85 and Ryan Smeeton was a close second in 8:47.03. Third place went to John Gay in 8:48.26. Hughes has officially secured his place on the Doha team but Smeeton and Gay, who both have world standard in the event, will have to wait until August 26 to officially be named.

In the men’s 5,000m, national record holder Mohammed Ahmed took the win in 13:54.92 and was closely followed for a second year by Justyn Knight in 13:56.68. Thomas Fafard of Laval was a surprising third-place finish in 13:58.75.

In the women’s 5,000m, Jess O’Connell won in 15:46.54, securing her place on the worlds team. O’Connell had a great last lap, closing in 65 to take the title.

Second place went to Andrea Seccafien in 15:47.93 and third place to Rachel Cliff in 15:51.25. Seccafien and Cliff also both have standard and will have to wait until late August to find out if they’ve been named to the team.